Laundry checking device



LAUNDRY QQECKILNG DEVICE nlgd uarn 21g 195o @1F53 4 ai ful .nu 48 4m im@ IWI! Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orties JOHN I-I. TODD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE KEY-TAG CHECKING- SYSTEM' COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION F OHIO LAUNDRY CHECKING DEVICE Application filed March 21, 19'30. Serial No. 437,698.

My invention particularly relates to improvements in checking devices of the character shown and described in United States Letters Patent Nos. 1,348,423, and 1,399,906,

issued upon my inventions in laundry-checking devices. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the primary object of such devices is to insure the proper segregation into different classes, or on behalf of dif- 1 go' in detail.

The annexed drawings, and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying the invention, the disclosed means, however, constituting but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of my invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of my improved checking device detachably supported at one end upon a main frame and having depending from one of its arms three pieces of laundry as illustrative of the use of the device;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device, par- 85 tially in section, taken from the plane indicated by the line 2 2, Figure l;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3, F igure 2; v

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectiontaken in the plane indicated by the line 4.-4, Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 5-5, Fig- 5 ure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 6 6, Figure 2;

Figures 7, 8, 9, and l() are elevations of 5" four forms of check-members forming part of my improved and laundry-checking device;

lber secured to yone of the arms of a hangerv forming part of the device, said plate member being adapted to cooperate with certain check-members in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter fully described.

Referring tol the annexed drawings, in which thel different parts are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, there is secured to a main lsupport l, such as a building wall, or any suitable m0v able or fixed frame or abutment, a bracket 2 having a main or base portion 2 and an over-hanging reentrant lip 3, this base portion 2 and lip 3 forming means 'for holding at one end an outwardly-extended arm 5 of a laundry hanger whose longitudinal movement relatively toi the bracket portion f2 is prevented bymeans of a downwardlyprojectedlug G formed upon and punched from the material of the arm 5 and adapted to engage-a hole 4 formed in the bracket base 2, as plainly shown in Figure 4. The construction is such that, upon lifting the outer end of the arm 5, the lug 6 can be disengaged from the hole 4, and then the arm 5 pulled out of the bracket 2.

Secured to the arm 5 'and extended substantially in parallel relation therewith, but laterally spaced therefrom, is a second arm 7-8 which, in the constructionshown for purposes of illustration, consists of the relatively right angular portions 7 and 8, the portion 7 being secured to the arm 5 and at right angles to the latter, as plainly shown lin Figure 2. These arms 5* and 8 form a hanger member and are intended to support segregated'laundryk pieces or laundry nets, it being contemplated that laundry pieces or nets of one character only shall be supported upon the arm 5,' and of one character 'only upon the arm 8, the pieces or nets upon the two arms 5 and 8 differing from each other in character, although preferably belonging to the same individual or class. For purposes of illustration, it is contemplated that comparatively large laundry piecesof, or large nets for, an individual are segregated upon the arm 5, and smaller pieces or nets for the same individual upon the arm 8. This segregation is effected by means of the character shown and described in said two U. S. Letters Patent Nos. 1,343,423, and 1,399,906. l

These segregating means comprise checkmeans 9, 12, 14, and 14', shown in lFigures 9, 8, 7, and 10, respectively, adapted for cooperation with certain projections formed upon the arms 5 and 8. The check members 12, 14, and 14 are of similar character, insof-ar as the checking operation is concerned, but the three said check-members are shown in order to illustrate different methods of att-aching the same to the laundry pieces or nets. The cooperating means upon the check-members 9, 12, 14 and 14, and arms 5 and 8 comprise registering slots and projections; for instance, the slot 19 in the check-member 9 adapted to receive the body of the arm 5, this slot 19having substantially the same longitudinal dimension as the width 1 -B, Figure 2, of the arm 5, this check-member 9 further being formed with slot portions 2O and 21 which receive the respective upper and lowerprojections 22 and 23 formed upon the arm 5 and adjacent the outer end of the latter. Thus, the check-member 9 can be fitted to the arm 5, which latter is in effect a key for said checkmember, and for all check members having the same cooperating slot outlines. These similar check-members, of course, are fastened to the different laundry pieces or nets kof the same individual or class, and remain so attached during the laundry operations, and by their cooperation with the arm or key 5, when it is desired to segregate the laundry, insure a segregation by individuals or classes. A suitable number of the hangers and their respective cooperating checkmembers comprise a series or set of checking devices which serve for the commingled laundry of all the persons or the classes of laundry which later should be segregated for several distributions to the different owners. This feature of the invention and this principle is fully described in said abovementioned Letters Patent.

I have further provided the arm 5 with ymeans which prevent the accidental slipping of the check-members 9 and their depending loads from the arm 5, and yet permit the ready threading of the check-inembers and their loads inwardly of the arm as far as desired. These means comprise a plate spring secured at one end within a recess 24 formed in the arm v5, said plate spring 25 beingformed adjacent its opposite end with an angular portion 25 which normallyextends upwardly beyond the upper face of the arm 5 but can be depressed below said face so as to permit the passage of thev check member 9 thereby, this angular portion 25 of the springA 25 sloping in both directions from a substantially central ridge point so as to present an inclined surface to the check-member 9 in both' directions of travel of the latter and thus permit easy passage of the check-member. Thus the spring portion 25 is depressed by the pressure of the check-member in the hand of the operator, as the latter threads the laundry upon the arm 5 or removes it therefrom. 75

Likewise, the arm 8 cooperates with checkmembers 12, 14, and 14', the outline of the slots in these three check-members being the same. Y The purpose in showing three of these check-members will be given later. Describing one of these outlines, it will be noted that there is a slot portion 35 of substantially the same vertical extent as the depth C-D of the arm 8, Figure 1, the check-member being 'further formed with slot portions 36,1185

. 39, and 41 which cooperate respectively with projections 37-38, 40 and 42 formed upon the arm 8 and adjacent the outer end of the latter. These projections are in reality formed in a horizontal plate 3l, Figures 2190 and 11, the width E-F, Figure 2, of which corresponds substantially to the longitudinal extent of a slot portion 34 formed in the check-member, this plate 31 being secured intermediate the top and bottom of the armt 8 and in a horizontal fissure or slit 33 formed inthe latter and adjacent the outer end thereof, and extending laterally upon both sides of the arm 8, as shown in Figure 2. In order that the transverse plate member 31011.90 may be securely held in the fissure 33 formed in the arm 8, a vertical rivet 32 which intersects the outer endof the plate 31 is passed through and secured in said arm 8; and,

furthermore, to insure the plate 31 positivelyi05 i against lateral movement, it is formed with a notch 31 whichv is tightly engaged by the arm 8, the fissure 33 in said arm not extend-A ing inwardlyV as far as the plate 31, as plainly shown in Figure 2. Various positions of thecll) plate 31 in the arm 8, as regards the respective amounts of lateral extension thereof upon the two sides of the arm 8, as also the height of the holding fissure in said arm, afford increases in the number of different check- 1.15 member outlines which may be used with the same size plate 31 and same arm 8. Of course, any variation in the size or position of the projections 38, 40 and 42 will also increase the possible combinations without any (.120 change in the size of the plate 31 or arm 8 or the position of the plate in the arm.

The arm 3 is also provided with a plate spring havinv` a portion 47 normally eX- tended above the surface of the top face of IT the arm 8 and adapted upon pressure of the check-member thereon to permit the latter p and its laundry load to be mounted upon the body of the arm 8. However, this spring 47 dees not permit the check-member to be re' 130 Ashown in Figure 1. The spring 47 is secured by rivets 46, one of Which in the form of device shown in the accompanying drawings intersects the plate 31. The rounded and upturned outer ends 48 and 49 of the arms 5' and 8, respectively, permit the convenient threading of the check-members thereon.

The laundry pieces or laundry nets can be fastened to the check-members 9, 12, 14 and 14, in various Ways. In Figure 9, I have shown the check-member 9 formed With a hole 16 thr ugh which a ring 27 is passed, the ring 27 also passing through the coils at one eiid of a pin 54, which pin is fastened to the laundry net. ln Figure 8 I have shown the check-member 12 directly engaging a safety pin 17 which can be secured to the laundry piece 28, the pin' in this form of check-member being pivotally secured to the check-member body. n Figure 7, I have shown the check-member 14 provided with a ring 1S which is passed through a pin 30 secured to the laundry piece 29, Figure 1. In Figure 10, the check-member 14 is rigidly secured to the pin 55, the hasp-arm 55 of the latter being 'formed into a loop 552 Which is contained Within a peripheral pocket 14.2 formed in the check-member body 14. The pin member 55 is secured to the laundry piece 56, Figure l, and the arm 55 is provided With a hasp 57 adapted to be detachably engaged in' the manner common to safety pin operation.

t Will be noted that the check-members and the cooperating hanger are keyed by corresponding insignia. 1011-13'1515, the insignia in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration being numbers 3077. l

The described and illustrated improvements provide a conveniently operated and durable checking device and hanger of large capacity. The double-arm hangers accommodate a substantially larger number of laundry pieces or nets than single-arm hangers accommodating pieces or nets in the same space. The hangers are portable With the laundry depending therefrom and the latter cannot accidentally slip from either end of the arm 5 or the arm 8. When not in use, the hangers can be removed from the brackets 2 and vertically suspended by means of any convenient hole 51, 52, or 53 formed in the several end portions thereof, a plurality of the hangers With corresponding check-members usually being transported and stored on a suitably-shaped hooked carrier.

Vhat` I claim is:

1. A hanger for laundry-checking devices, comprising a main arm adaptable for detachable connection to a support and an auxiliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced and generally parallel relation to the latter, each of said arms having means, adjacent an end of such arm, for permitting passage of check-members of predetermined formation onto the body of such arm and excluding check-members of other formations therefrom.

2. A hanger for laundry-checking devices, comprising a bracket adapted for rigid attachment to a supporting frame, a main arm adapted for removable support at one end in said bracket, and an auxiliary armV secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced and generally parallelrelation to the latter, each of said arms being provided With means for permitting passage of check-members of predetermined formation and' eX- cluding check-members of other formations.

3. A hanger for laundry-checking devices, comprising a main arm adaptable for detachable connection to a support and an auX- iliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced and generally parallel relation to the latter, each of said arms being provided With means for permitting passage of check-members of predetermined formation onto the body of such arm and excluding check-members of other formation therefrom, and compressible plate springs normally intersecting face surfaces, respectively, of said arms.

4. A hanger for laundry-checking devices, comprising a bracket adapted for rigid attachment to a supporting frame, a main arm adapted for removable support at one end in said bracket, and an auxiliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced and generally parallel relation to the latter, each of said arms being provided With means for permitting passage of check-members of predetermined formation and excluding check-members of other formations, said brackethaving an overhanging reentrant lip under which an end of said main arm extends, and said bracket and said main arm having a cooperating slot and projection, respectively, to insure the engagement of said bracket and arm against relative lengthwise movement.

5. ln a checking device, the combination With an apertured check-member adapted for connection to the article to be checked; of a key 'having a transverse cross-section of an outline adapting the check-member to be fitted to the key, the latter being provided with a plate spring having a portion nor- `mally intersecting a face surface of the key,

and said spring being resistant to the passage of the check-member over said surface and having a second portion movable toward said surface by pressure exerted through the check-memberto permit the latter to pass the s ring.

6. n a checking device, the combination With a plurality of apei'tured check-members adapted for connection to the articles to be checked; of a hanger comprising a main arm adaptable for detachable connection to a support and an auxiliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally -spaced relation to the latter, said arms being formed with transverse cross-sections of outlines, respectively, adapting some of said check-members to be fitted to each arm, each of said check-members fitting at least one of said arms, each of said arms being provided With a plate spring having a portion normally intersecting a face surface of the arm and resistant to the passage of check-members over said surface.

7. In a checking device, the combination With a plurality of apertured check-members adapted for connection to the articles to be checked; of a hanger comprising a main arm and an auxiliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced ielation to the latter, said arms being formed With transverse cross-sections of outlines, respectively, adapting some of said checkiiienibers to be tted to each arm, each of said check-members fitting at least one of said arms, each of said arms being provided With a depressible plate spring normally intersecting a face surface of the arm and resistant to the passage of the check-member over said surface, one of said springs being movable toward the adjacent arm surface by pressure exerted through the check-member to permit the latter to pass the spring, and the other spring being manually depressible to permit the passage of the check-members outwardly of the arm.

8. In a checking device, the combination With a plurality of apertured check-members adapted for connection to the articles to be checked; of a hanger comprising a main arm and an auxiliary arm secured to said main arm and extended in laterally spaced relation to the latter, said arms being formed with transverse cross-sections of outlines, respectively, adapting some of said checkmembers to be .fitted to each arm, each of said check-members fitting at least one of said arms, each of said arms being provided with a plate spring having a portion normally intersecting a face surface of the arm and resistant to the passage of check-members over said surface, one of said springs being movable toward the adjacent arm surface by pressure exerted through the check-member to permit the latter toV pass the spring, the other spring being formed With a doWn- Wardly-extended flanged end, and the adjacent arm being formed with a recess containing said flanged end and permitting a vertical reciprocating movement therein of said flanged eid, said arm being formed with a stop limiting the upward movement of saidspring end, the last-named spring being manually depressible to permit the passage of check-members thereby outwardly of the arm.

9. In a hanger for laundry-checking devices, an arm having a body portion and a check-registering portion, the latter-portion being near an end of said arm and having a plate secured thereto so as to have an edge facing toward said end, said plate extending beyond a surface of said arm and .having a `projection extending from its surface, and

said plate and projection having a predetermined formation for permitting passage of 118.5 check-members having a` formation corresponding to said predetermined formation onto said body portion and excluding checkmeinbers of other formations therefrom.

l0. In a. checking device, an arm having a body portion and a check-registering portion, the latter portion being near an end of said arm and being formed with a slit, and a plate mounted in said slit and fixed to said arm, said plate extending beyond oppositely disposed'surfaces of said arm and havingr vprojections extending from its surface, and

said plate and projections having a predetermined formation for permitting passage, onto said body portion, of check-memc bers having a formation corresponding to said predetermined formation andfor excluding` from said body portion check-members of other formations.

11. In a checking device, an arm having a body portion andV a check-registering portion, the latter portion yhaving a plate fixed thereto, said plate extending beyond a surface of said arm and having a projection extending from its surface, and the formation of said plate and projection and the position of said plate and projection relative to said arm being such as to permit passage, onto said body portion, of check-members of predetermined formation and to exclude .115

from said body portion check-members of other formations.

Signed by methis 4th day of March, l

JOHN H. TODD. .12o 

